Jamaica’s Men’s Curling Team Wins Historic Medal in Scotland

Jamaica’s National Men’s Curling Team has earned a bronze medal at the World Championship Pre Qualifier Pan Continental event in Dumfries, Scotland, marking a significant milestone for the country’s growing presence in international curling.

Competing against teams from Mexico, India, Chinese Taipei, Saudi Arabia and Kenya, Jamaica secured a third place finish behind Mexico and India. The result gave Curling Jamaica its first men’s medal at this level of international competition after narrowly missing out on a bronze medal in 2024 at a tournament in Calgary, Canada.

The achievement adds another chapter to the development of a sport that has steadily gained support among Jamaicans across the diaspora and demonstrates the progress made by the national program in a relatively short time.

Jamaica Finishes on the Podium

The World Championship Pre Qualifier Pan Continental event took place in Dumfries, Scotland, from April 13 to April 16. The tournament featured teams from across the Pan Continental region competing for advancement opportunities within the international curling system.

The final standings were:

1. Mexico
2. India
3. Jamaica
4. Chinese Taipei
5. Saudi Arabia
6. Kenya (Did Not Start)

Jamaica’s third place finish placed the team ahead of Chinese Taipei and Saudi Arabia while securing a place on the medal podium.

Team Jamaica’s Bronze Medal Lineup

The Jamaican team consisted of Ian Robertson, who served as skip and team captain, along with Don Johnston, Elliot Lai, Cameron Johnston and Luke Samuels.

The bronze medal finish carried special meaning for Samuels, who grew up in Dumfries, Scotland, the same city that hosted the competition.

Speaking to Jamaicans.com, Samuels reflected on both the team’s achievement and his personal connection to the event.

“Representing our country Jamaica and winning a medal in Scotland was a big accomplishment for Curling Jamaica. In 2024 we narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in Canada so getting our first medal was very rewarding and showed our commitment and determination. It was also a very personal achievement for me as I was brought up in Dumfries in Scotland, the place the competition was held.”

Samuels was recently elected to the board of Curling Jamaica. He is also the only current Curling Jamaica member based in Scotland, while the organization’s other members are located in Canada.

Building on a Growing Legacy

The bronze medal has added to a growing list of achievements for Jamaica in international curling. While the men’s team secured its first medal at this level in Scotland, the Jamaican women’s team has previously earned both silver and bronze medals in international competition.

The men’s team narrowly missed a bronze medal in Calgary, Canada, in 2024. That location holds a special place in Jamaica’s winter sports history. Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, where Jamaica made its Winter Olympic debut in bobsledding. Although the team did not win a medal, its participation captured international attention and helped establish Jamaica’s place in winter sports.

A Growing Presence in International Curling

Curling is a team sport played on ice in which players slide granite stones toward a target known as the house. It is contested at both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and includes men’s, women’s, mixed doubles and wheelchair divisions.

While Jamaica is traditionally known for its achievements in track and field, the country has gradually expanded its presence in winter sports. According to current international rankings, Jamaica’s women’s curling team is ranked 38th among 50 countries, while the men’s team is ranked 52nd among 59 countries.

The bronze medal in Scotland provides further evidence that the national program is moving forward and gaining valuable experience against international competition.

How Curling Jamaica Began

The journey of Curling Jamaica began in 2020 when a Jamaican Canadian curling enthusiast sought to introduce the sport to more Jamaicans around the world.

That effort connected curlers from Jamaica, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Some athletes already had years of competitive experience, while others were new to the sport. Their shared goal was to create opportunities for Jamaicans to participate in curling and represent the country internationally.

Ben Kong, founder and former president of Curling Jamaica, played a leading role in turning that vision into reality. Often compared to the pioneers of Jamaica’s famous bobsled team, Kong helped establish the island’s national curling program and guided the effort that led to Jamaica receiving official recognition from the World Curling Federation in 2022.

Curling Jamaica was established to promote the sport among Jamaicans and to build a pathway for athletes who wished to compete for the nation. The organization continues to identify and recruit athletes from Jamaica and the diaspora while introducing new players to the sport.

Today, Curling Jamaica is recognized by the Jamaica Olympic Association and is the 67th member nation of World Curling, the international governing body for the sport.

What the Bronze Medal Means

For a developing program, earning a medal at an international championship is an important step.

Jamaica entered the competition as one of six participating nations and left with a place on the podium. The result follows years of work by athletes, administrators and supporters who have invested time in growing the sport within the Jamaican community.

Although curling remains a relatively new sport for Jamaica, the bronze medal finish in Scotland shows that the national team can compete successfully on the international stage.

For Curling Jamaica, the achievement represents both a reward for past efforts and motivation for future competitions as the organization continues to build its presence in world curling.